Aug 25, 2025: Allegations of a paper leak ahead of a recruitment test emerged in Jammu and Kashmir on Sunday, with political parties criticising the ruling National Conference (NC) for “wrecking the future” of the youth, prompting the cancellation of the examination.

The Jammu and Kashmir Services Selection Board (JKSSB) announced that the written exam would not be held and promised to hold it again. The OMR-based written exam was set for Sunday at 11 a.m. at 35 locations in Jammu and Srinagar, according to an order from the JKSSB. However, due to weather-related exigencies, the timings were rescheduled to 12.00 noon. The examination was carried out successfully at 34 locations, but it was not possible to carry it out at just one location. The order stated, "In view of the foregoing, it has been decided by the Board to cancel the OMR-Based Examination for the posts of Junior Engineer (Electrical), Power Development Department," which was held on August 24, 2025, and that a new examination would be held instead. It also stated that separate announcements will be made regarding the new exam dates. Previously, videos flooded social media claiming to show candidates attempting to answer questions from the Junior Engineer (Electrical) test outside the Kothi Bagh Higher Secondary School examination hall. Before the exam, many claimed that the question paper was available on social media. Subsequently, protests erupted outside the centre against the Jammu and Kashmir Service Selection Board (JKSSB).

The NC was slammed by political parties for the paper leak, which they claimed was a "blow" to the J-K youth. “The sale of SSB exam papers by the government is yet another blow to the youth of J&K, following the bans on books and schools. This is the so-called ‘youth package’ for a region where 65% of the population is under 35,” the PDP said in a post on X.

“An additional SSB paper leak follows scam after scam. PDP leader and MLA Pulwama Waheed Para stated, "After banning books and locking schools, the government's sale of exam papers is another blow to J&K's youth. Students are seen openly trying to solve problems." Iltija Mufti, another leader from the PDP, slammed the NC government for “wrecking” the future of the youth who had placed their faith in the party.

“Youngsters across J&K placed an overwhelming faith in the NC, hoping for transparency in recruitment exams after electing them. However, Mufti stated on X, "I'm appalled at how the NC government is ruining their future due to their sheer incompetence to even conduct the JE Electrical Exam today at Kothi Bagh Centre." According to Mufti, "today's paper leak suggests that this government is becoming a den of corruption" rather than promoting transparency. Sajad Lone, the head of the Peoples' Conference, referred to the paper leak as "brazen daylight robbery" in recruitment. "In the end, we made it. We are the best at scams. In recruitment, this is nothing short of blatant daylight robbery. Could someone please inform us of the situation? he said in a post on X.

Lone alleged that candidates for the JE electrical examinations were initially asked to leave the exam halls because the paper was cancelled. He claimed that some students continued taking the exams, and later, they were all requested to come back in again.

“The paper is on social media well before the aspirants are ready to take the exam. Will we receive yet another round of third-grade fiction, or will heads roll? Lone, who is also an MLA from Handwara, questioned.

Ruling NC Lok Sabha MP Aga Ruhullah commented that this was “yet another collapse” of the JKSSB system, and blamed the Lieutenant Governor’s administration.

In a post on X, Ruhullah stated, "This is the direct result of a wrecked setup overseen by an unelected and unaccountable establishment." He claimed that the scams that began under the “so-called LG’s watch have not stopped”.
“Instead of safeguarding the future of our youth, books are being banned and schools taken over; the unresolved issue of reservation is taking a further toll on the future of youth,” he said.

“The current path is failing our youth and our identity,” the Srinagar MP stated, urging the elected government to reevaluate its role and strategy.